Sølvsmedtunet (Astrid Søftestad)
Sølvsmedtunet is a workshop and shop in Vrådal associated with master goldsmith Astrid Søftestad. The business's own history states that she opened her silversmith's workshop in Nissedal in 1982, initially concentrating on traditional dress silver. Operations moved to Vrådal in 2002.
Its product presentation includes its own jewellery designs and ornaments for Telemark traditional dress, including neck rings, snake and boss brooches, buttons and belt buckles. This documents a connection with both jewellery making and traditional dress silver. The gift shop's entire assortment should nevertheless not be treated as an inventory of workshop production.
When cataloguing a piece, record designer, making workshop and retailer separately. Purchase from Sølvsmedtunet alone does not establish that the entire object was made there. Photograph the whole piece, reverse, fastening and all marks. Compare it with documented model information or an original receipt. Traditional form alone identifies neither workshop nor age. This article does not attribute any particular responsibility mark to Søftestad or the business.
